Shared access driveway

ey_up

Hi guys,

I'm going to look at a house that ticks all the boxes except one important point, it does not have a garage. This wouldnt put me if I could build one. However, there is only a side path to the back garden where any garage would have to be built. The unusual thing is that when you look at the property and its neighbour, the layout suggests a shared driveway with a fence and hedge later added. This is also consistent with other houses of the same type on the street.

The agent suggested that it wasnt a shared drive but wasnt sure. I would assume however there should be a hip that would show the title deeds and plan but the agent wouldnt send me it until after I had visited.

Should it not have shared access how do I go about agreeing access? Obviously an approach would need to be made to the neighbour but are there any pitfalls? I can only assume it would add value to the property while decreasing the neighbours and would be a win on my side assuming I can get it for a reasonable price.

Has anyone done this who can offer advice?

Unfortunately I dont think I would offer on the house unless I could arrange some access therefore I would have to take it up with the neighbour before hand.

Cheers

Fire_Fox

If shared access is agreed you would have to get the deeds for both properties changed by a solicitor, no doubt the neighbour would want you to bear the legal costs. You may well need to get the amendment agreed by the lenders for both properties - no guarantee they would allow the change. You can't do any more than conduct informal negotiations before you complete on the property so IMO it would be a risk. IIRC the estate agent cannot refuse you access to the HIP before you view but they can insist on only allowing access in their office. If they are being difficult at this stage I would not want to deal with that estate agent - perhaps you could e-mail you query and request they check the HIP and confirm their findings in writing? Often people are not too keen to record their 'little white lies'.

Doozergirl

What is consistant? The hedge or a shared driveway?

You can download the title plan from the Land Registry website for a few pounds if desperate. The EA should show you the HIP but I think the legal requirement is within 14 days ofrequesting it which may not be any help.

Unless the neighbour is desperate to build their own garage, I wouldn't hold out much hope.

slummymummyof3

Even if it is shared access, I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. Shared access can be an absolute nightmare with some neighbours. Whilst the current neighbour may be quite tolerable, you never know what will move in to the property next!

ey_up

Hi guys, thanks for the responses. Seeing your comment Doozergirl I can see how I've led to a little confusion. The other houses on the street have shared driveways. The one I am looking at has very near the same layout as the other properties but there is a divider between it and the neighbour which is part fenced and part "bushed".

I may re-request the HIP but the way my research is going I think it may be more hassle than its worth. A lot of people do say to stay clear of shared driveways but given our budget we are going to be very lucky to get one with a private drive in the areas we are looking at.

Heres hoping. Cheers for responses.